By Fr Cleophas Braganza for BISMumbai

The Salesian community of Don Bosco Chinchwad was glad to welcome Fr Biju Michael SDB, the General Councillor for South Asia, on the evening of 14 November 2022, after he completed the visitation of Don Bosco, Yerwada.

The next morning, Fr Biju Michael, celebrated the Eucharist for the Salesian community and the Catholic hostel students. At 9.00 a.m., the students and staff of Don Bosco ITI welcomed him with the Puneri dhol-vaazan, aarti, shawl and Peshwa topi. The Director, Fr Sanjay Lopes, presented Fr Biju and explained to the students his role as a visitor to the Salesian institute at Chinchwad. Speaking to the students, the extraordinary visitor reminded them that they need to focus incessantly on their life’s goal just like a welder’s torch is relentlessly focussed on metal. He also advised them to keep their gaze ahead without forgetting their roots, their family and the people who helped them get this far, just a driver looks ahead but also regularly glances at the rear-view mirrors.

Later that morning, Fr Biju Michael conducted the opening conference for the members of the community. Through his passionate discourse, he reminded them of their identity as consecrated persons, their belonging to a Salesian community and the Salesian mission entrusted to them. He then met the Salesians individually. In the evening, he met the staff of the institute, thanked them for their collaboration in the Salesian educative mission and had a brief exchange with them.

After evening prayer with the Salesian community, Fr Biju Michael delivered the concluding conference appreciating the good work being done for poor and marginalised youngsters, and mentioning his observations and recommendations. He invited the Salesians to be zealous in living the Salesian motto ‘Give me souls, take away the rest’ by living out their consecration and fulfilling the mission entrusted to the community.

The confreres, staff and students of Don Bosco Chinchwad are grateful to the Lord for the grace of this visit and thanked Fr Biju MIchael for his encouraging presence and guidance.